Folding desk



(No Model.) l 3 Sheets-Sheet 1,

J. H. EDEN 33 3. E. GUTHRIB.

FOLDING DESK. No. 393,364.

4Patented N (No Mode-1.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2., J'. H. EDEN 8v G. E. GUTHRIE.

FOLDING DESK.

@vih/manc Y.

(No Model.) 'sheets-ueen J. H. EDEN 8c G. E. GUTHRB.

` FOLDING DESK.

.Patented NOV. 27, 1888.

` UNITED STATES PATENTv OFFICE.

JOHN H. EDE.T AND GEORGE E. GUTIIRIE, OF ESKRIDGE, KANSAS.

.FOLDING DESK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393.364, dated Nevsmber 2']l 18,88.

A pplicalion tiled March 511, 1858.

To afl whom 1'15 may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHNTI. EDI-1N and GEORGE E. Gn'rnuin, citizens of the. United States, residing at Eskridge, in the county of Wabaunseeand State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Desks; and we do hereby declare the fol` lowing to be a. full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled'in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention consists in the particular construction of folding desk hereinafter to be described and claimed.

In the drawipgs, Figure l is a perspective view ofa desk embodying oui-invention. Fig. 2 is across-section of the same. Fig. S is a similar cross-section showing the book-rack when folded down and locked. Fig. is an elevation of a portion of the desk, showing the book-rack folded down and the lid raised up. Fig. 5 is a detailed horizontal view of a springcatch on the desk-fram e, Lhe'framc being shown in section. 1"`ig.j6 is a side View ofthe same. Fig. 7 is a detail View showing the lockingslot in the book-rack and the knob attached to the lid entering the-same. Fig. 8 is the same as Fig. 7, b`ut showing the knob at the moment of insertion.

Throughout the specification and the drawings like reference-letters refer to like parts.

A A are iron castings supporting the various parts of the desk. These castings are united by the top T and the boards forming the back D into the desk-frame. Ou the castings A A are hinged brackets U, which support the boards or slats forming t-he seat S, and which are prevented from turning too far by the lugs l.

The book-rack It is hinged to the top T, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This book-rack is supported in its elevated position by the elbow-braces B B, one end of each of which rests in one of the series of pockets h. formed in the material of the castings A A', whilethe other end is pivotcd to the book-rack R. It is evident that when the elbow -braces are folded up the book-rack will fall to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3and in dotted lines in Fig. 7. Itis also evident that by resting the end of the brace in one or the other of the series of pockets h the position of the Serial No. 267.970. (No model.)

book-rack and the consequent inclination of thelid which rests upon it may be adjusted at pleasure within certain limits.

The lid of the desk consists of the rectangular frame F, having one or more panels, I

P'. These panels are pivoted in the rectangular frame by the pivots N N N N, (best shown in Fig. 4.) These panels may be composed of any two layers of desired substances, so as to Fig. 4. In the end of the panels are mortses V V. ln the reet-angular frame bolts XV XV slide and enfer the 1nortises .V V' when the saine are opposite the ends of the bolts. Le-

vers L L connect these bolts with the springpressed plungers n w', so that by pressing on the ends of these plungers the bolts maybe withdrawn and the panels revolved. S" indicates the spring which holds the bolt in the niortiseuntil it is withdrawn by pressure upon the plunger w.

As shown in Fig. 3, the lid of the desk is hinged to the t-op by means of the projecting vears or brackets b b, and swings about a center which is not coincident with the center about which the hinged book-rack R swings.

It is'evidcnt, therefore, that as the book-rack and lid fold down-ward from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown Vin Fig. 3 the lid must slide over the book-rack and change its position relative to the same.' We have taken advantage of this fact to cause the motion of the lid to automatically lock itself to the bookrack when the two are folded down. Our preferred construction for doing this is best illustrated in Figs. 4 and 7. A groove, q, is cut iu the material forming the end of the bookrack, as shown in Fig. 7. Over this is placed the iron band having the slot Q., as best shown in Fig. 4. Attached to the lid is the knob O, which, when the book-rack is in its elevated position, passes through the wide portion of IOT).

the slot Q; but as the book-rack is folded down to theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig.

4o brace snppfnting the hinged book-rark, the t 7 the knob O is drawn up into the narrow portion of the slot, and the lid is thus auto' matically locked to the book-rack.

To hold the book-rack in its folded-down position, we elnploy the apparatus best illustrated in Figs. 5 and t. Upon the book-rack is the projecting lip M. This is caught by the hooked end of the lever l, pivoted to the frame, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5, and 6. Behind the hooked end ot' the lever Z is the spring s', which holds the hooked lever in its outward position of adjustment until it is withdrawn by pressure `upon the plunger p. This offers aCouvenient'construetiou of automatic springeatch for hohing the book'rack in its lowest position of adjustment. To lock the same rigidly in this position, the bolt G, operated by the key 1i in theordinary manner, may be int sorted behind the hooked end of the lever t, thus preventing the elevation of the book-rack and the consequent unlocking of the lid by any one who has not the key that will fit the lock K.

In the various novel features of this our inY ventiou we do not wish to be strictly confined to the exaeteonstruet ion shown, buthave illustrated aud described the saine as our preferred forni ot' apparatus, well knowing that equivalent devices may be substituted therefor which will yet come within the scope of our invetttion.

Having therefore described our invention, both in essence and detail, what we claim as new, and desire to protect by Letters Patent,

l. in a folding desk, the eombination'of the frame, the book-rack hinged at its upper inner corner to the frame, the lid hinged to the frame and restingl on the bookraek, the elbow series of notches for supporting one end of t,... brace, the projecting lip upon the hook-rack, the hooked lever pivoted to the frame, and the springr and the plunger-bolt for operating the hooked lever, substantially as described.

2. In a folding desk, the combination of a stationary frame, a lid which consists of a rectangular' frame and a pivoted reversible panel with a spring-catch, hinged to the stationary traine, a bookrack, also hinged tothe stationary fraaie, but on a center not coinciding with that about which the lid turns, the locking slot in the book rack, and the knob attached to the lid, freely entering and leaving the locking-slot at one point in the length of said slot, but retained therein at all other points, substantially as described.

3. In a folding desk, the combination ofthe frame, the bookvrack hinged thereto, the lid, also hinged thereto, but on a center not coin ciding with the center about which the bookrack is hinged, the loekiugslot in the bookrack, and the knob attached to the lid, freely entering and leaving the kicking-slot at one point in the length of thel slot, but retained therein at all other points, substantially as descri'. ed.

4. ,In combination, the frame, the hooked lever pivotcd to the frame, the spring and the plunger-bolt for operating the hooked level', and the lockiugbolt engaging with and holding the hooked lever rigid in one position` substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

E. J. DAILY, t.. N. liant.. 

